In the post-Parkland hysteria, President Trump directed the Department of Justice to perform some regulatory legerdemain where bump fire stocks are concerned. The ATF had long ago passed on the stocks, deeming them perfectly legal accessories for semi-automatic rifles. Now, in a Saturday morning move apparently meant to fly under the radar . . .

The U.S. Department of Justice formally submitted a regulation on Saturday to ban bump stocks, a modification to high-capacity rifles that lets them fire like an automatic weapon.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum in February directing the department to make the regulatory change, which must now be approved by the Office of Management and Budget before it is published and subject to a commentary period.

Nothing to worry about though that will never get through Congress! Au contraire, mon frere.

The move does not require congressional approval, allowing the administration to side-step what could have been insurmountable pressure from pro-gun groups such as the National Rifle Association that have worked to erode changes in firearm laws in the wake of mass shootings in Florida and Nevada.

Its no biggie, though. Really, now many people own, or even want a bump fire stock? This wont affect me!

Think again. If the DOJ can use regulatory fiat to bring their ban hammer down on bump fire stocks, magically deeming them machine guns, whats to stop this or, more likely, some future administration from deciding that high-capacity 30-round magazines are also unacceptable modifications that facilitate unnecessary rates of fire? Or lighter, drop-in triggers? Anything that could plausibly be argued to increase a guns standard rate of fire.

The NRA was on board with regulating bump fire stocks in theory, but hadnt signed on to this particular move. This sets a terrible regulatory precedent that will almost surely be expanded and abused again down the road. Will the NRA sue? Will SAF or the GOA?

We havent been able to get our mitts on the new DOJ regulatory language yet, but will publish it when its available. Stay tuned.

It’s a little-known fact that the Attorney General works for the President. Sessions was instructed to do this by Donald Trump. He is the AG’s boss, thus he can (and does) order him to take certain actions. Just like he can order him to appoint a special counsel if he really wanted him to.

Today the Department of Justice submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a notice of a proposed regulation to clarify that the definition of machinegun in the National Firearms Act and Gun Control Act includes bump stock type devices, and that federal law accordingly prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of such devices.

“President Trump is absolutely committed to ensuring the safety and security of every American and he has directed us to propose a regulation addressing bump stocks, said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. To that end, the Department of Justice has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a notice of a proposed regulation to clarify that the National Firearms and Gun Control Act defines machinegun to include bump stock type devices.

This submission is a formal requirement of the regulatory review process. Once approved by the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Justice will seek to publish this notice as expeditiously as possible.

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